A Roof over our Heads

Having a roof over your head is a basic human necessity, which is possibly why the Radbahn concept triggered such passionate responses.

A roof provides shelter, a home and a sense of security – however in this particular case no privacy, as Radbahn users will always be interacting their their surroundings. In the middle of the road, always illuminated, always visible, the Radbahn is more than just a bicycle highway.

It is a stage, a place for encounters, interaction and social life. A shared roof for all the city’s residents.

A journey from Zoo to Oberbaumbrücke

Radbahn runs through a city that is constantly changing. It is therefore logical that a number of urban spaces can be found on both sides of the route: places of daily chaos, rest, and deceleration; tight spaces and those that are generously laid out; places of concrete or idyllic city nature.

With the Radbahn concept, we take these qualities and transfer them to the future. In seven sections we show and formulate what we consider desirable for our city and its inhabitants. It is a vision in which there is a lot of love for the individual spaces. We believe that the Radbahn can help to promote positive development in these and adjoining urban areas.

Radbahn is not a motorway for cyclists, but a trip along and under Berlin's first rail line. We do not abide by the stress of the big city, but rather drive relaxed and look around.

How can you be a part of making Radbahn a reality?

Radbahn is a concept developed by a registered charitable association called paper planes e.V. and its eight founding members. The work done by these eight Berliners - in co-operation with an active group of volunteers - turned Radbahn from a vision into a solid, realistic project. This team produced a 140-page long book proving that Radbahn is indeed very feasible to build. Now the people behind paper planes e.V. are engaging with decision makers, current and future partners and other coalition members to ensure that Radbahn will indeed be build in the near future.

Everyone can support this work by giving a donation to paper planes e.V. or by buying the Radbahn-book. We are very grateful also for non-financial support: talk about the project with people you know, share our news in social media and subscribe our newsletter!